ZPOST
BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read


Go Back   ZPOST > BMW Z4 Roadster and Coupe > Regional Forums > Canada
  TireRack

SUPPORT ZPOST BY DOING YOUR TIRERACK SHOPPING FROM THIS BANNER, THANKS!
Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      09-08-2011, 09:17 AM   #1
squadz
New Member
7
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW 335i xDrive M Sport
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

BMW Recall Clearance Letter..screwed

Bought a 2008 Z4 (US car) from a dealer here (not BMW). No one knew if it still had factory warranty, BMW dealer couldn't find the VIN (this was on Friday). They told me to call BMW Canada on the Tuesday to find out about the VIN (at this point I had already purchased the car). Called BMW Canada and was told they can't find my VIN in the system, apparently meaning they were never given the $500 Recall Clearance Letter BMW requires when coming from the US. I have warranty up till March 2012 (original factory) and now have to pay $500 to honor that warranty basically, else I'm left without it.

Am I SOL? Have to pay the $500 I guess right?
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2011, 09:20 AM   #2
Mirko
Major
Mirko's Avatar
Canada
182
Rep
1,031
Posts

Drives: E86 Z4M, E90 328i, E84 X1
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (2)

Quote:
Originally Posted by squadz View Post
Bought a 2008 Z4 (US car) from a dealer here (not BMW). No one knew if it still had factory warranty, BMW dealer couldn't find the VIN (this was on Friday). They told me to call BMW Canada on the Tuesday to find out about the VIN (at this point I had already purchased the car). Called BMW Canada and was told they can't find my VIN in the system, apparently meaning they were never given the $500 Recall Clearance Letter BMW requires when coming from the US. I have warranty up till March 2012 (original factory) and now have to pay $500 to honor that warranty basically, else I'm left without it.

Am I SOL? Have to pay the $500 I guess right?
What!! That sounds shady. How did the person/dealer import the car into Canada without a recall clearance letter. Does the car have the RIV sticker? Also BMW claiming the VIN isn't in their system ... what BS is that. Try calling a US dealer or even Tischer BMW to see if they can help with a recall letter if you really need it. Might be cheaper.

No way they could have imported the car here without that letter and gone through the RIV process.

I never sent my recall clearance letter to BMW Canada and I highly doubt the BMW dealer in the US I bought the car from did. They were pretty clueless about the process. Unless RIV did it for me no way it got sent. I have already had warranty work done to the car here in Canada and had no issues.

You sure the VIN is legit?
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2011, 09:40 AM   #3
squadz
New Member
7
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW 335i xDrive M Sport
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirko View Post
What!! That sounds shady. How did the person/dealer import the car into Canada without a recall clearance letter. Does the car have the RIV sticker? Also BMW claiming the VIN isn't in their system ... what BS is that. Try calling a US dealer or even Tischer BMW to see if they can help with a recall letter if you really need it. Might be cheaper.

No way they could have imported the car here without that letter and gone through the RIV process.

I never sent my recall clearance letter to BMW Canada and I highly doubt the BMW dealer in the US I bought the car from did. They were pretty clueless about the process. Unless RIV did it for me no way it got sent. I have already had warranty work done to the car here in Canada and had no issues.

You sure the VIN is legit?
Now you've got me scared. The dealer I bought the car from wasn't the same one that brought the car over, so I don't think fault lies with them.

BMW Canada has no record of this car ever being serviced in Canada meaning that this car was brought over and never brought in to a dealership. They don't have records of a clearance letter, which would make sense.

Where can I find the RIV sticker? I will call BMW USA to see what they say, good idea.

You had warranty work done on your imported car without using a recall letter? Please tell me how because all I want is to have warranty work done, only reason I need this letter.

How would I know if the VIN is legit?
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2011, 10:04 AM   #4
Quickid
First Lieutenant
11
Rep
331
Posts

Drives: 08 Z4MC, 06 X5 4.4i, 99 323i
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (4)

Try this website to decode the VIN... http://www.decodethis.com/

It will give general info... at least it's a start.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2011, 11:31 AM   #5
squadz
New Member
7
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW 335i xDrive M Sport
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Quickid View Post
Try this website to decode the VIN... http://www.decodethis.com/

It will give general info... at least it's a start.
Confirmed with BMW USA that the VIN is legit. That site as well.

BMW USA can't help me, cant tell me where it's been serviced either. Told me to call BMW Canada and figure out how to allow the warranty on the car.

Back to square one.
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2011, 11:52 AM   #6
Quickid
First Lieutenant
11
Rep
331
Posts

Drives: 08 Z4MC, 06 X5 4.4i, 99 323i
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Ontario, Canada

iTrader: (4)

My Z4MC originated from the U.S. as well. With the VIN, my service advisor at BMW Toronto can only retrieve warranty claims record.

I called Towne BMW in Buffalo (where it was first sold at) and they were able to obtain service records.

It is possible that there was no warranty claim on your car and the previous owner did not have it serviced at a BMW dealership.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2011, 12:51 PM   #7
squadz
New Member
7
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW 335i xDrive M Sport
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Quickid View Post
My Z4MC originated from the U.S. as well. With the VIN, my service advisor at BMW Toronto can only retrieve warranty claims record.

I called Towne BMW in Buffalo (where it was first sold at) and they were able to obtain service records.

It is possible that there was no warranty claim on your car and the previous owner did not have it serviced at a BMW dealership.
Exactly. The car was imported here fine, but never brought to a BMW dealership. Now I have to do it and pay $500 + whatever they decide isn't Canadian worthy as far as mods go.

Canadian Tire does the RIV inspection, maybe go there first to fix things before BMW gets their hands on it?
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2011, 02:54 PM   #8
Mirko
Major
Mirko's Avatar
Canada
182
Rep
1,031
Posts

Drives: E86 Z4M, E90 328i, E84 X1
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (2)

Contact RIV office, let them know your situation and give them your VIN.
http://www.riv.ca/ContactUs.aspx

There has to be record of the car with them coming into Canada. In order to complete that entire process they need the Recall clearance letter.

The RIV sticker is something you get in the mail after you pass the long process. Supposed to stick it on the inside driver side door panel with the other manufacturer stickers. I put mine on the inside of the driverside door since there was no room in the spot desigated by RIV.

I had no issues with BMW Waterloo. I brought them my car and they knew it was a US vehicle. I didn't have to show them any recall clearance letter and they had no issue finding my car in their system. Weird they can't find yours on their system.

Maybe try another dealer??

Canadian tire does the RIV inspection but you don't give them the recall letter. That is mailed or in my case emailed directly to RIV.

Don't let them BS you about Canadian worthy. If the car passed RIV they can't make you do anything more (ie. turn on DRL if not already done). I have the rings on for mine and I passed the inspection. This dealer sounds a little shady.

Also as a side note don't spend the $500. I will look in my old emails I had a friend who did it and they paid less from a BMW Dealer in Ontario for that letter. I think 350-400 or maybe less ... not sure but it is the legit letter. So if you run out of options PM and I can pass along the contact.

Last edited by Mirko; 09-08-2011 at 03:01 PM..
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2011, 06:04 PM   #9
squadz
New Member
7
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW 335i xDrive M Sport
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mirko View Post
Contact RIV office, let them know your situation and give them your VIN.
http://www.riv.ca/ContactUs.aspx

There has to be record of the car with them coming into Canada. In order to complete that entire process they need the Recall clearance letter.

The RIV sticker is something you get in the mail after you pass the long process. Supposed to stick it on the inside driver side door panel with the other manufacturer stickers. I put mine on the inside of the driverside door since there was no room in the spot desigated by RIV.

I had no issues with BMW Waterloo. I brought them my car and they knew it was a US vehicle. I didn't have to show them any recall clearance letter and they had no issue finding my car in their system. Weird they can't find yours on their system.

Maybe try another dealer??

Canadian tire does the RIV inspection but you don't give them the recall letter. That is mailed or in my case emailed directly to RIV.

Don't let them BS you about Canadian worthy. If the car passed RIV they can't make you do anything more (ie. turn on DRL if not already done). I have the rings on for mine and I passed the inspection. This dealer sounds a little shady.

Also as a side note don't spend the $500. I will look in my old emails I had a friend who did it and they paid less from a BMW Dealer in Ontario for that letter. I think 350-400 or maybe less ... not sure but it is the legit letter. So if you run out of options PM and I can pass along the contact.
Spoke to the dealer that sold my car. Apparently the RIV sticker is coming (wasn't on for some reason.. fishy? but then again who wants more stickers on their car).

There is a record of the car coming into Canada, but no record of it in any BMW in Canada. It is possible to import a BMW without the clearance letter, but you wont be able to use the warranty (which is my situation now apparently).

The reason I mentioned Canadian Tire was to double-check the car is up to standards (although I'd assume since it's registered and been here a while that this has been done already), and at least I have some backup to tell BMW where to go if they try to screw me when I bring it in.

Either way, my goal is for them to honor my warranty and then have them fix my whole car (there are some things that feel wrong with the car, might as well check the whole thing while they're at it).

Anyway to spend less money is always appreciated, if you have that contact still. Or if there is another way to do this process.
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2011, 06:21 PM   #10
Mirko
Major
Mirko's Avatar
Canada
182
Rep
1,031
Posts

Drives: E86 Z4M, E90 328i, E84 X1
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (2)

Wasn't able to send you a PM, you must not have enough posts yet. I'll put this up for a little bit and then take it down.
Good luck

Last edited by Mirko; 09-08-2011 at 06:59 PM..
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2011, 06:48 PM   #11
squadz
New Member
7
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW 335i xDrive M Sport
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Got it, thank you!
Appreciate 0
      09-08-2011, 07:04 PM   #12
squadz
New Member
7
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW 335i xDrive M Sport
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Well now I'm fucking pissed off.

I was just sifting through all the papers my dealer gave me and came across one that I completely forgot about... WARRANTY WORK! From?... PARKVIEW TORONTO BMW. But wait, BMW Canada told me they have no record of my VIN being serviced in Canada, let alone Toronto right? What a huge scam. I'm staring at the papers right now.

It clearly says warranty on the paper as well. So they were trying to scam me into buying the letter, when I don't need to. Unbelievable.
Appreciate 0
      09-11-2011, 10:02 PM   #13
E86Z
First Lieutenant
63
Rep
313
Posts

Drives: 3.0si
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (1)

Oh boy you don't know the half. When I imported mine they wanted me to pay to have my DRL reprogrammed (1300$) only then could I purchase the 500$ clearance letter. Scams.
Appreciate 0
      09-12-2011, 12:06 PM   #14
nate96
Second Lieutenant
Canada
44
Rep
205
Posts

Drives: TI Silver 06 Z4 Coupe
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada

iTrader: (0)

BMW Canada tried to do this to me. I imported mine just before the rules changed about needing to get a letter from BMW Canada for $500. After receiving some warranty work already approved the next year when the car was in for more they tried to deny me warranty until I paid the $500 for the letter. I told them that the car had all the paperwork required at the time and have all the papers to show it was imported properly. They then said OK, and warrantied all my work after that.

I hope you get this resolved.
__________________
Appreciate 0
      09-13-2011, 03:02 PM   #15
squadz
New Member
7
Rep
26
Posts

Drives: 2014 BMW 335i xDrive M Sport
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Little update.

Brought the car in Saturday and the Manager took pictures of my seat (ripped leather, cracked etc.). They call me today and say BMW disallowed the warranty work because it's wear and tear. Fine, not a big deal, figured they would say that.

So I told him I need to bring it in because the braking/transmission, somethings wrong. Tells me that they will run a diagnostic, then they have to send it to BMW again to approve or not approve the warranty work. If they don't approve it, I need to pay for the diagnostic (140 bucks).

I'm going to give BMW Canada a call and see how far I can get, but looks like I'm even more SOL now.

Just a little heads up to anyone thinking of buying a US car in Canada. Warranty is transferrable yes, but the pain you have to go through is not worth it. Thinking of driving to Buffalo to get the warranty work done, hassle-free.

Any suggestions are appreciated.
Appreciate 0
      09-13-2011, 03:06 PM   #16
inTgr8r
Lieutenant General
inTgr8r's Avatar
Canada
2422
Rep
11,665
Posts

Drives: M2 Comp
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (10)

^you can get that kind of run around regardless where the car came from.
__________________
'21 M2C Hockenheim Silver
'18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold)
'13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold)
'07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2011, 01:22 PM   #17
Huz-Z
Brigadier General
Huz-Z's Avatar
Canada
843
Rep
4,051
Posts

Drives: Z4 3.0si, 328 XDrive, X5 35i
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by E86Z View Post
Oh boy you don't know the half. When I imported mine they wanted me to pay to have my DRL reprogrammed (1300$) only then could I purchase the 500$ clearance letter. Scams.
I know a guy who brought a Z4 into Canada from the US. He was interested in having his daytime running lights and odometer set up for Canadian Specs. I called a dealer in the US for him, close to the border who said they could do the programming for $50 and if it gave them trouble, it could be almost $100. They apologized for that.

To compare, I called a Canadian dealer for the same thing. $500 and not a penny less.

In this period when the Canadian dollar is on par or better than the US dollar, I think it is immoral, unethical and bordering on illegal anti-competitive behaviour of BMW to maintain the price disconnect with the US, and then punish those folks who are willing to import a car. After all, if a Z4 were out of reach at Canadian prices, absent importing one, the person might buy some other manufacturer's car domestically in Canada. At least with the imported Z4, a dealer who treats the owner fairly stands to get the ongoing service revenue. What is wrong with that?

And if BMW normalized Canadian pricing to approach US pricing, they would sell more cars domestically. For example, Accord V-6 or BMW 3 Series, for not that much more?

Canadian exporters are getting nailed in the US because our exports are now more costly as our dollar is high re the US dollar. To fairly balance this, Canadian consumers should see the benefit of the value of their dollar. But so far, retail products, including cars, cost way more than they do in the US. High time for that to stop.

End of rant.
__________________
Huz-Z


BMW Z4 3.0si Roadster. Montego Blue Metallic. Premium and Sport Package.
Appreciate 0
      09-20-2011, 01:39 PM   #18
inTgr8r
Lieutenant General
inTgr8r's Avatar
Canada
2422
Rep
11,665
Posts

Drives: M2 Comp
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Toronto

iTrader: (10)

^well put. ..standing 'O'
__________________
'21 M2C Hockenheim Silver
'18 718 Cayman S Lava Orange (sold)
'13 E92 M3 Santorini Blue (sold)
'07 Z4 M Coupe Alpine White (sold)
Appreciate 0
      10-02-2011, 05:24 PM   #19
EenyBear
Accidentally in BMW
EenyBear's Avatar
Canada
15
Rep
221
Posts

Drives: Z4MC & R1200S
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Canada

iTrader: (0)

This is all fishy. I imported mine, got the recall letter prior to shipping from the non-bmw dealer in the US without cost, and did the inspection at CDN tire. RIV was happy and the sticker arrived later. At the time, an independent shop set the DRL and odometer for a modest fee.

The warranty is beside the point IMHO. BMW clearly states that the warranty is fully transferable to Canada (unlike Nissan and GM et al).

Don't release the moths in your wallet until we have a chat.
Send me your email and I'll put you in touch with my guy.
Appreciate 0
      10-17-2011, 09:37 PM   #20
hs96
Registered
0
Rep
1
Posts

Drives: 2011 BMW X5d
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Vancouver

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by EenyBear View Post
This is all fishy. I imported mine, got the recall letter prior to shipping from the non-bmw dealer in the US without cost, and did the inspection at CDN tire. RIV was happy and the sticker arrived later. At the time, an independent shop set the DRL and odometer for a modest fee.

The warranty is beside the point IMHO. BMW clearly states that the warranty is fully transferable to Canada (unlike Nissan and GM et al).

Don't release the moths in your wallet until we have a chat.
Send me your email and I'll put you in touch with my guy.


Hi,

could you email me? hardeep_s96@hotmail.com

Thanks
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:53 PM.




zpost
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST